Describe a personal quality that you would like to improve

A quality I'd like to improve is my self-confidence, especially when speaking in front of other people. I've always been the kind of person who is comfortable in small groups but becomes very nervous when I have to talk in front of a class or a large audience.

I want to improve it for a few reasons. Firstly, it has affected my studies. At university, we regularly have to give presentations, and my anxiety sometimes makes me forget what I wanted to say or speak too fast, so my marks don't always reflect what I know. Secondly, it limits my opportunities. In group discussions, I often have good ideas but don't share them, and other people receive the credit. Thirdly, I know that in my future career, confidence will be vital for interviews and meetings.

I'm doing several things to work on it. I joined a public speaking club at the university, where we practise short talks in a friendly environment every week. I've also started volunteering to answer questions in class, even if I'm not completely sure, because I've learned that mistakes aren't as terrible as I imagined. In addition, I record myself giving presentations and watch them to see what I can improve, which is awkward but useful.

Improving this quality would help me in every part of my life. I would be able to express my opinions clearly, make a better impression on employers, and feel more relaxed in social situations. It's definitely still a work in progress, but I can already see small improvements, and that motivates me to keep going.